Job description

Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. Embracing new trends and harnessing decades of experience, we’ve earned our place at the forefront of the legal industry. Our partners are recognised as leaders in their field and our deals and cases often make headline business news. As a result, we’ve developed a reputation for delivering excellence, in all that we do. Today, we’re continuing to break new ground. By embracing new ways of thinking and integrating technology into our everyday work, we’ve been named as the Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe by the Financial Times five times.

There is a real demand both internally and from clients to develop a range of top quality and cost effective legal services. In response to this, we have established the LSC in Belfast as the quality of people available and the ease of interaction with our largest office in London enables us to be ambitious about the type of work and range of matters on which LSC lawyers work. We are genuinely excited about the potential and are confident of offering an appealing career option and a variety of legal experience for talented lawyers.

Join our team and you’ll be part of a flexible, inclusive culture underpinned by openness and acceptance. We’re driven by the belief that, to perform, people need support and space to collaborate. By combining those values with an ambitious outlook, we can give you the opportunity to thrive.

Department purpose
The nature of Allen & Overy’s work is increasingly advanced and multi-jurisdictional. The Legal Services Centre (LSC) plays an increasing role in managing and delivering important elements of major transactions and handling various types of work for global relationship clients. Lawyers working in the LSC in Belfast apply their knowledge of the law and legal procedures to support Allen & Overy teams around the world.

Role purpose
LSC Associates manage and guide teams of Legal Professionals (LPs) ensuring that their work is delivered to the highest standards by advising on commercial and technical legal issues as well as drafting, reviewing and amending documentation and conducting or supervising research. Our LPs are top quality law graduates who have successfully completed an intensive Business Law programme designed and delivered by the University of Law and Allen & Overy to equip them with the right skills and knowledge as well as familiarity with A&O processes and standards. LSC Associates will play a full role in identifying and introducing new legal services to be offered by the LSC which support our clients and our business.

Role and responsibilities

Matter Management
• Develop strong working relationships with Partners and Associates from other offices
• Interact constantly to understand current deals and cases, define and scope work, advise on resourcing options and pricing and manage expectations
• Manage and report on progress and liaise with internal and external clients to address points of relevance or concern and resolving queries and issues
• Manage the work of the Legal Professionals, ensuring that individuals are assigned to a particular case or deal have the required skills, knowledge and support to deliver outputs that are on time and of the highest quality
• Advise and educate Legal Professionals on points of commercial and legal detail including quality checking their work
• Provide legal expertise, including drafting, reviewing and amending documentation, document management, legal research, maintaining and improving templates and precedents

Team Leadership
• Supervise, develop and motivate Legal Professionals, instilling an excellent service delivery ethos and impeccable quality standards
• Prepare and deliver legal skills training and transaction specific training as required, working alongside sector and practice group specialists in other offices, especially London
• Conduct effective Legal Professional performance management processes
• Work with the LSC Head to monitor evolving resourcing requirements, including volumes of work and required skills

Key requirements
• A qualified solicitor with 5 or more years PQE, with strong experience in international capital markets (straight debt or derivatives or securitisation)
• Preferably experience gained in a commercial environment such as a US, City or major regional law firm: experience gained in-house with a bank or other financial institution would also be relevant
• Experience of co-ordinating complex multi-faceted matters, including multi-jurisdictional matters
• Experience of managing teams and supervising junior lawyers and/or trainees
• A professional manner, with high levels of integrity, resilience and diplomacy
• Commercially astute
• Excellent interpersonal and management skills
• Flexible, resourceful and prepared to take a hands-on-approach, comfortable operating in what is essentially a rapidly evolving new business and interested in identifying and shaping that evolution